Strangers on a Train (1951) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Farley Granger as Guy Haines, Robert Walker as Bruno Antony and Howard Washington as the Waiter on Train (not picture)

Bruno: Ask me anything. I got the answers. Even news about people I don’t know. Like, uh… who would like to marry whom… when his wife gets her divorce…Guy: Perhaps you read too much.Bruno: Oh, there I go again. Too friendly. Always happens. I meet somebody who I like and admire and then I open my mouth too much.Guy: Ah, that’s all right. Forget it. I guess I’m a little jittery.Bruno: Oh, I know the cure for that! Uh, waiter…Waiter: Yes, sir.Bruno: Scotch and plain water please. A pair. Doubles. (laughs) The only kind of doubles I play! (laughs)Guy: Well, you’ll have to drink both of them.Bruno: And I can do it!

2 Responses to “Strangers on a Train (1951)”

Can I assume it’s practically unanimous that this is truly one of the all-time Hitch masterworks? So much to recommend here, not the least of which is Robert Walker’s extraordinary performance, which for 1951 would view with Alistair Sim for acting honors. That’s a terrific choice in interchanges there! Ha!

Interestingly, I was inspired to rewatch this after reading Robin Wood’s chapter on it in Hitchcock’s Films Revisited and he has some big issues with it, mainly revolving around Granger’s slack performance as Guy. I see his point, but I don’t quite agree with him and rate it much higher. I think the whole point is that Walker is supposed to be the more appealing character.